Ontario gas stations fined $2M for price fixing

Canadian Tire, Mr. Gas and Pioneer Energy have been fined just more than $2 million for fixing the price of gasoline in Kingston, Ont., and nearby Brockville in 2007.

In a news release, the Competition Bureau said it uncovered evidence the three competitors agreed among themselves to set the price of gas at the pump between May and November that year.

The bureau said the "gas retailers or their representatives in these local markets phoned each other and agreed on the price they would charge customers for gasoline."

All three companies pleaded guilty to price-fixing under the Competition Act in Brockville Superior Court.

Southern Ontario probe continues

Pioneer Energy was fined $985,000 for price-fixing in Kingston and Brockville, Canadian Tire was fined $900,000 for price-fixing in Kingston and Brockville, while Mr. Gas was fined $150,000 for price-fixing in Brockville.

All three companies are also subject to a 10-year court order requiring them to educate their staff about the Competition Act, among other provisions.